High Cheese

In all likelihood, Humberto Quintero will be in Philadelphia by the time the Phillies bus leaves for the airport this evening. Carlos Ruiz left Sunday's game with a right hamstring strain, leaving the roster with one healthy catcher. A stint on the disabled list is usually the result of a hamstring strain, particularly for a catcher.

Quintero, a 33-year-old veteran with six years of major league service, was not in the lineup yesterday for the IronPigs. In seven games for the Phillies, he was 5-for-20 with two doubles, one walk and six strikeouts. He accepted an assignment to Triple-A after the Phillies waived him to make room for Ruiz when he returned from serving a 25-game suspension for a positive test for a banned stimulant. In eight games at Lehigh Valley, he is 7-for-24 with a double, two home runs, four walks and five strikeouts.

Prospect Tommy Joseph has struggled in his first seven weeks at Triple-A, hitting .209/.264/.358 with three home runs and 15 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances. He has been charged with nine passed balls and an error this season. Joseph’s nine passed balls heading into yesterday were more than had been accumulated by 12 of the other 13 teams in the International League. The Phillies did not expect him to be a factor this season. He is only 21 years old and still has plenty of developing left to do. Besides, he has missed the last two weeks with a concussion. So you can forget about him as a potential replacement.

Which injury concerns you more?

Carlos Ruiz’s hamstring840 (63.0%)

Ryan Howard’s knee494 (37.0%)

Total Votes1334

Ruiz suffered the injury after rounding second base and accelerating toward third on a second inning single by Freddy Galvis that put runners on the corners with two out. Ruiz remained in the game after consulting with a team trainer and manager Charlie Manuel, but exited after Jonathan Pettibone struck out to end the frame. Erik Kratz replaced him behind the plate to start the top of the third inning.

The injury brought an end to a nine-game hitting streak for Ruiz, who started the season 2-for-20 but since then is 10-for-31 with a couple of walks (albeit with only one extra base hit, a double).